tankist
Active Member
Checking into this thread.
Hi Tony, things sure can be made simplier.
But with programmable controllers the benefit is flexibility and ability to add functionality as you go. Think of the above switch maxhine servo control scenario. Surely there are simplier controllers available that will energize the motor. But you just can't beat arduino's price of sub 5$ per controller (economy of scale at work). Then one day you wake up and decide you want to add a signal protecting the turnout, then you want to add another button to control it from other side of a layout, then you want to pair it with another turnout to better control routes , And at the end you want the entire shabeng with block detection , signalling and control. So instead of rewiring at each step you just modify and add lines of code when need arises.
Now, all of this might not be of interest to you as you find other aspects of hobby more rewarding, and there is nothing wrong with that. But you probably have at least some interest, enough to post in this topic. If the Lack of skill is what's stopping you I just want to say - it is very learnable and doable. I wouldn't call it easy , but it is certainly not a rocket science and for our hobby it's a very worthy skill to invest time into - return on investment is amazing. Many excellent guides available to those far from anything programming related.
Best regards
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Look, if people have the ability, the knowledge to use them for whatever purpose they choose and they are beneficial to them then that is great. I just don't see the point in making "some things" more complex than they need to be.
Hi Tony, things sure can be made simplier.
But with programmable controllers the benefit is flexibility and ability to add functionality as you go. Think of the above switch maxhine servo control scenario. Surely there are simplier controllers available that will energize the motor. But you just can't beat arduino's price of sub 5$ per controller (economy of scale at work). Then one day you wake up and decide you want to add a signal protecting the turnout, then you want to add another button to control it from other side of a layout, then you want to pair it with another turnout to better control routes , And at the end you want the entire shabeng with block detection , signalling and control. So instead of rewiring at each step you just modify and add lines of code when need arises.
Now, all of this might not be of interest to you as you find other aspects of hobby more rewarding, and there is nothing wrong with that. But you probably have at least some interest, enough to post in this topic. If the Lack of skill is what's stopping you I just want to say - it is very learnable and doable. I wouldn't call it easy , but it is certainly not a rocket science and for our hobby it's a very worthy skill to invest time into - return on investment is amazing. Many excellent guides available to those far from anything programming related.
Best regards